COMMUNITY News:
ESPAÑOLA – The office of U.S. Sen. Tom Udall will co-host the 6th annual Northern New Mexico Healing Our Communities Forum and Youth Summit Thursday and Friday.
The two-day event will focus on preventing substance abuse and addiction, substance abuse treatment, and incorporating youth and community member perspectives into an anti-drug strategic plan for northern New Mexico.
Additional co-hosts include the office of U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich, the office of U.S. Rep. Ben Ray Luján, the U.S. Attorney’s office, the New Mexico High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA), and the Pueblo of Santa Clara.
Community members from the Española Valley, Los Alamos and the surrounding areas are invited to attend.
Thursday, April 16, the Northern New Mexico Healing Our Communities Forum runs 6-8 p.m. at the Santa Claran Hotel. Additional agencies and groups collaborating on the forum include the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency, the New Mexico Department of Public Safety, the New Mexico National Guard, area public schools, community youth coalitions, prevention and treatment providers, and regional law enforcement agencies. Community members affected by substance abuse also will share their perspectives during the forum.
Friday, April 17, students from throughout Española and the surrounding area are invited to attend the Northern New Mexico Healing Our Communities Youth Summit. The summit runs 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Santa Claran Hotel and will feature workshops on mental health, art and healing, and positive youth development.
The youth summit will focus on addressing the root causes of substance abuse, and encourage students to contribute their perspectives and help combat substance abuse issues facing the community.
Udall is committed to working with medical professionals, community organizations and local law enforcement to prevent drug abuse in New Mexico and across the nation. In March, Udall introduced the Increasing the Safety of Prescription Drug Use Act, which would expand access to treatment options for addicted patients, strengthen training for medical professionals and increase abuse prevention opportunities.
Udall has pushed for an “all hands on deck” approach to combatting substance abuse and dependence that recognizes the value of prevention and education, law enforcement, overdose prevention and addiction treatment.
As a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Udall continues to fight for resources for the HIDTA program, which has been critical to state and local law enforcement efforts to combat drug abuse and trafficking.
Thursday, April 16:
- WHAT: Northern New Mexico Healing Our Communities Forum
- TIME: 6-8 p.m.; Registration begins at 5:30 p.m. and will include light refreshments.
- WHERE: Santa Claran Hotel – Mountain Room, 7th floor, 460 N. Riverside Dr., Española
Friday, April 17
- WHAT: Northern New Mexico Healing Our Communities Youth Summit
- TIME: 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.; Lunch will be provided.
- WHERE: Santa Claran Hotel – Mountain Room, 7th floor, 460 N. Riverside Dr., Española
